Shifter (Anthology 4-in-1)

by Angela Knight (Contributor)

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WHEN IT COMES TO SHAPESHIFTING PARANORMAL ROMANCE, WHO CAN RESIST...

New York Times bestselling author Angela Knight, USA Today bestselling author Lora Leigh, and national bestselling authors Alyssa Day and Virginia Kantra?

Whether transforming under a blue moon or prowling the streets, the shifters come alive to fulfill the wildest of fantasies in this seductive anthology by four masters of paranormal romance.

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35 reviews
As a whole, Shifter was a great book- sexy, passionate, funny, thrilling, full of untamed desire... what more can you ask for? I know what you are going to say: Where's the delicious bad boys, the sexy shifter alpha males? Well, no worries ladies, they are in the book too-- plenty of them! In fact, you may need to call the fire department before you start reading, it's that hot!

When you find an anthology with top paranormal romance authors like Angela Knight, Lora Leigh, and Alyssa Day, how can you go wrong, right? Not only do they write great paranoraml romances, but they all know how to add in the perfect amount of borderline erotica, which is always a plus, in my opinion. And believe me, they do not disappoint, even in an anthology, show more where sometimes it feels like the stories are too rushed! I loved each and every one, and I felt like they were able to tell a great story and wrap it up nicely even with limited pages available.

The only story that I had a problem with was the last one, Sea Crossing, by Virginia Kantra. I've read her work once before, in the last anthology I rated, and in that one I was also a little disappointed. I do not mean to offend any Kantra fans out there *Or Kantra herself, of course!* but I have to say that after two slightly bland stories that I've tried of hers, I don't think I will be reading any more of her books. I will definitely re-read Shifter when I get the chance, but when I do, I will skip right past her story because it failed to hold my interest. Though she was able to write some pretty good sex scenes, I felt like the rest of the story line and characters, conversation and development, was forced, and not, well, completely developed. There was just something missing, and I'm not sure what it was, but I noticed it in the other story I read of hers. And I don't think that it helped any that the hero was a selkie. I've never really been into selkies in my romances, and the fact that it was the male who was selkie, it kind of turned me off, if that makes sense. There's just something about the thought of a handsome and sexy male turning into a seal that doesn't really work for me. Sorry to any fans out there, but this is my opinion.

Oh, just a little side note: In Lora Leigh's book, A Jaguar's Kiss, the lucious bad boy, Saban... WOW! Grab a fan or a bucket of ice before starting it! Not only is the story hot hot hot!, like all of her books, but Lora Leigh made this hero extra sexy, in my opinion, by giving him a Cajun accent and a name like 'Saban'. Is it unusual? Yes, BUT it's so damn sexy! Is it just me, or does the name just scream "Untamed Passion" that would boil over, both in bed and out!? And when you read the story itself, I swear, that "Untamed Passion" triples in it's intensity, which you would think couldn't be possible.. and yet it is. Oh, God, let me tell you-- it is! While reading Saban and Natalie's story, I found myself whispering under my breath 'Saban' over and over again, actually pronouncing his name outloud each and everytime it came up in the story.. and a few times when it didn't!- because it's such a sexy name. I'd love to have my own personal Saban... *SIGH!*

4.5/5 stars! Shifter is a great book, full of passion and thrill, love and laughter.. and Saban, as I've already said. ;) Don't miss this great book written by three wonderful authors... Oh, and one author that tried her best, but that I felt the book itself could have done without.
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½
I read a lot of anthologies and if I find one good story in the book I'm satisfied. Shifter is unusual for me because 2 of it's stories are keepers. The first and last stories are excellent. Angela Knight writes an excellent short story about a runaway empress and the slave werewolf she purchases. It was both dense and satifying, relying on character and a little bit of world building, and lots of fun.

The last tale about a selkie and a school marm, was both romantic and magical. I had not read any Virginia Kantra before but immediately searched out her next 2 books, Sea Witch and Sea Fever based on her powerful and beautifully told tale here. It's every thing I like in a short story, infusing the tale with a tension and a fairy tale show more like sense of inevitability. The ending was the tiniest bit rushed, but that's only because I did not want to leave the characters.

So it's well worth getting. The Lora Leigh was standard Breeds - she starts too intense and has nowhere to go from there, so there's no build up, just on going crescendo which can get a bit tiring. And the other Alyssa Day felt confusing to me. But the bookends make it a keeper.
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½
Mad Dog Love

Rance Conlon, also known as “Mad Dog” has been enslaved by a traitor. The nanobots inside of his body have been reprogrammed so that escape is not a possibility. Rance despairs of ever being free and so spends his time being as obstinate and vicious as possible. Informed of the fact that he is being put back on the slave block, Rance can only hope that his new master will not watch him vigilantly so that he can make his escape. He doesn’t take into consideration that his new master could in fact be a new mistress thus provoking hidden instincts that he isn’t ready to face.

Queen Zarifa Lorezo is on the run. She has come into her inheritance and has been able to change her internal nanobots which hide her from the show more enemies wishing to control her. She is on a mission – a mission that could very well cause her death. She needs someone powerful enough to help her accomplish this undertaking. Someone strong and loyal. Someone just like the slave known as “Mad Dog”. She fails to take into consideration that in gaining a slave she may also gain a lover she will not wish to lose – that is, if they are able to stay alive long enough.

http://www.angelasknights.com

A Jaguar’s Kiss by Lora Leigh

Saban Broussard is a Cajun breed enforcer with the DNA of a black jaguar. Stealthy, steadfast and loyal, he has been given the mission to protect the new teacher hired by the pride leader to instruct the breed children of Sanctuary. Saban is nothing if not thorough and so relishes the task set before him. His tongue is swollen and his senses are on alert. Now he must convince his independent mate that life in his arms doesn’t mean giving up her stability. It means a lifetime of being loved and cherished. And it starts with just one kiss.

Natalie Ricci has just been through a messy divorce in which her very existence and emotional independence were tested. She wants nothing more than to educate the breed children she has been trusted to teach. She doesn’t want nor does she need her assigned protector. The fact that her bodyguard sets her body aflame and her mind reeling makes her nuts, but it is his kiss that she craves. Though she knows without a doubt that just one kiss from her jaguar will change her life forever, Natalie is ill prepared for the feelings that come forth – feelings of arousal and love she has spent months trying to ignore.

http://www.loraleigh.com

Shifter’s Lady

Marie, the First Maiden of the Nereids, is traveling to visit her brother. Sensing that he needs her, she will not be deterred and thus is allowed to cross through a portal in order to get to the other side where her brother awaits her arrival. Their reunion is short lived, however, when Marie’s brother is asked by the Atlantean god’s high priest to help with the search for Justice. Though she is told to return to Atlantis for her safety, Marie refuses. Because of this, her brother finds her a protector – and he just happens to be the Alpha of the local were-panther pride and irresistible in Marie’s eyes.

Ethan has become uneasy friends with the Atlantean who has made his home upon Ethan’s land. Since the man has mated one of the women of Ethan’s pride, he figures he will play nice. His emotions are tested when panthers from his pride are found murdered with no leads or witnesses as to who would commit such a brutal act. Since this investigation is taking up all of his time, Ethan is able to forget his failures. Failures that come to haunt him once his inability to resist Marie’s charms become common knowledge. Tested by those who should be loyal, Ethan knows one thing – Marie is his. And what is his, he keeps.

http://www.alyssaday.com

Sea Crossing

Griff is a selkie. Given the task of finding a teacher for the young children of his island home, he doesn’t hesitate in his mission. Answerable only to the prince of the selkies, Griff tries his best to persuade the woman to want to stay on the island. His feelings for her have nothing to do with his wanting her to accept himself and his people. Or so he tells himself over and over. But when it all comes down to emotions and love, Griff knows that he will follow his lover wherever she wants to go.

Emma March has lost her job and her family with just one mistake of the heart. Trusting a man when she shouldn’t have, she finds herself at the mercy of the sea when the ship she is traveling on slowly begins to sink. Doing her best to be brave, she thinks of others safety before her own and finds herself drowning. Or so she thought. Emma has been rescued by an enigmatic man that makes her yearn for the baser needs that she has in her body – needs that she doesn’t want to acknowledge but finds herself exploring. When one of her students matures in ways unheard of by Emma, her life on the island changes in an instant and the end result might not be what she or Griff is expecting.

http://www.virginiakantra.com

Each and every novella in this anthology captured my attention and held me spellbound in a world full of paranormal hotties and the women who loved them.

Angela Knight’s, MAD DOG LOVE, grabbed me from the start with Rance pacing the cage like the wolf he is. I found his protection of Zarifa loyal and unfaltering, even when he discovers that the women he thinks she is turns out to be an allusion. His yearning for freedom is unwavering and I found myself more than once torn between wanting him to be set free and wanting him to be tied to Zarifa for a lifetime.

Lora Leigh’s, A JAGUAR’S KISS, is absolutely outstanding. As a huge fan of Lora Leigh’s Breeds, I placed this amazing author on my auto-buy list years ago – and I’m happy to say this novella is more than worthy to stand beside the other books from this series. Jaguar breed Saban Broussard is sin personified with a Cajun accent and a penchant for whispering sweet nothings in the ear of his beloved. His passion for his mate has no boundaries, even when he is being tested. Incidentally, while Saban likes to cherish his mate, Natalie likes to challenge hers. Fiercely independent but secretly needy, she wants Saban to want her because of love, not need her because of genetics. I think Ms. Leigh more than proves to Natalie that Saban is the perfect mate and breed for her.

Alyssa Day’s contribution to the anthology – SHIFTER’S LADY, takes readers back to the world she introduced with her Warriors of Poseidon series. While Marie is accustomed to being a cherished member of Atlantis, she is no wilting flower. Her character is strong and determined as well as gentle and kind. Her love for Ethan is evident in every encounter and I couldn’t help laughing more than once at her emotional ties to rain. Ethan is pack Alpha and one of the toughest male characters I have read about in a long time. Loyal to a dead mate even though he didn’t care for her, Ethan continually surprised me. I thoroughly enjoyed sitting back and grinning when his panther side comes to the forefront and demands Marie.

SEA CROSSING by Virginia Kantra took me to a world I seldom read about but think I may have to investigate further. I really enjoyed how she makes her selkies realistic and how she portrays the dynamics of the selkie hierarchy. I found Griff to be blatantly sexy but somewhat shy. Emma March is a worthy heroine to his hero for sheer guts alone. Stranded on an island, unknown by the inhabitants, and without any family around her, she has made the best of her situation. She is courageous and I don’t blame Griff one bit for his feelings for her.

Thank goodness I don’t have to pick a favorite from this four novella anthology because I would be hard pressed to do so. Know that each and every story will capture your attention, engage your mind, make your palms sweat and your cheeks blush. The conglomeration of authors is the perfect recipe for this enticing and well written anthology.

SHIFTER released March 4, 2008.

***Natasha Smith for Romance Junkies***
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I only read the "Breeds" portion of the book so far as I am reading that series currently. The Jaguar's Kiss was Lora Leigh's contribution to this anthology and I have to say it was quite good for such a short piece. Some things were rushed obviously, but I don't think it detracted from the story itself. The added intrigue of an ex-husband attempting to get in the way of the mating was interesting and hadn't been done before. I liked the resolution too, but I do hope we see some more of this couple in future books, even as background characters.
This anthology of four paranormal romances showcasing shapeshifters of all kinds serves as a decent introduction to authors known for their ongoing series in the paranormal world. In particular, Angela Knight and Lora Leigh are each known for the steamily erotic scenes and these shorts hold little back from their usual writing.

In the first story Knight provides us with a glimpse into a sci-fi universe where genetically enhanced demi-werewolves are bred for war and protection. Leigh continues on in the vein of her "Breeds" series with the story of a were-jaguar named Saban who discovers his mate in a teacher he is sent to offer a job to. Day also continues on with her Atlantis mythology when a temple priestess meets up with a show more were-panther protecting his own in the Florida everglades. Kantra's is a selkie tale of another teacher bound to have her hands full of not only not-completely human students, but one very bullish acting Warden.

I think this anthology would be a good introductory pack to anyone who thinks they'd like to try out these authors. However, as in the case of most short story anthologies, the stories feel a bit rushed to the more seasoned paranormal romance reader and may prove to be a little frustrating to those hoping for substantial entries into their favorite series.
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I really like this short story. It would have been nice if it had been longer but it is a good story and well worth reading. It does show what the Breeds are doing to be more acceptable and ingrained in the community. It also provides a look at just two people trying to find their way through a very difficult time. I love Saban and I loved Natalie. If you are looking for a quick read while lying next to the pool then this is the story.
THIS
REVIEW IS FOR A JAGUAR'S KISS.

I think it was a great book for me to get back into the Breeds' fold'
since I read the last one so long ago. I loved Natalie and Saban
together, they had this crazy sizzling chemistry when they were together
that just made the story that much more enjoyable. I also liked the
fact that the main 'problem' of the story revolved around Natalie and
her ex-husband, even though the Council was behind the stunt. Really
enjoyed it!

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Author Information

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Contributor
91+ Works 9,696 Members

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Day, Alyssa (Contributor)
Kantra, Virginia (Contributor)
Leigh, Lora (Contributor)

Work Relationships

Common Knowledge

Canonical title
Shifter (Anthology 4-in-1) (Anthology 4-in-1)
Original title
Shifter
Alternate titles
Mad Dog Love (by Angela Knight) (by Angela Knight); A Jaguar's Kiss (by Lora Leigh) (by Lora Leigh); Shifter's Lady (by Alyssa Day) (by Alyssa Day); Sea Crossing (by Virginia Kantra) (by Virginia Kantra)
Original publication date
2008
People/Characters
Natalie Ricci ("A Jaguar's Kiss" / Lora Leigh); Saban Broussard ("A Jaguar's Kiss" / Lora Leigh); Mike Claxton ("A Jaguar's Kiss" / Lora Leigh); Cassandra "Cassie" Sinclair ("A Jaguar's Kiss" / Lora Leigh); Ted Randolph ("A Jaguar's Kiss" / Lora Leigh); Elyiana Morrey ("A Jaguar's Kiss" / Lora Leigh) (show all 12); Chimera ("A Jaguar's Kiss" / Lora Leigh); Beldon Amburg ("A Jaguar's Kiss" / Lora Leigh); Shiloh Gage ("A Jaguar's Kiss" / Lora Leigh); Mercury Warrant ("A Jaguar's Kiss" / Lora Leigh); Rance Conlan (Mad Dog Love / Angela Knight); Zarifa Lorezo (Mad Dog Love / Angela Knight)
Important places
Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Buffalo Gap, Virginia, USA; Lorezo Empire year 2450
Dedication
For Natalie. For your friendship, your willingness to listen, and your patience in the face of so many different versions of one story.  But most of all, just for being you. ("A Jaguar's Kiss" / Lora Leigh)
For Natalie. For your friendship, your willingness to listen, and your patience in the face of so many different versions of one story.  But most of all, just for being you. ("A Jaguar's Kiss" / Lora Leigh; in Shifter... (show all))
Disambiguation notice
"Shifter" is an anthology containing four short tories:

* "Mad Dog Love" by Angela Knight

* "A Jaguar's Kiss" by Lora Leigh

* "Shifter's Lady" by Alyssa Day

* "Sea Crossing" by Virginia Kantra

Classifications

Genres
Romance, Fiction and Literature, Fantasy
DDC/MDS
813.08508Literature & rhetoricAmerican literature in EnglishAmerican fiction in EnglishBy typeGenre fictionRomance fictionCollections
LCC
PS648 .L6 .S495Language and LiteratureAmerican literatureAmerican literatureCollections of American literatureProse (General)
BISAC

Statistics

Members
648
Popularity
44,414
Reviews
31
Rating
½ (3.68)
Languages
English
Media
Paper, Ebook
ISBNs
4
ASINs
3